Every pokie is built by a studio, and each studio has its own approach. Some specialise in machines for pubs, clubs and casinos. Others focus on online slots with fast tumbles and big multipliers. Some invented mechanics that are now used across the industry. Knowing who made a game can tell you a lot about what to expect from it.
Our provider profiles explain the background of each studio, the mechanics it is known for, its best-known games and how openly it publishes information such as RTP and volatility.
The studio behind a pokie shapes almost everything about it:
Our How We Review page explains the criteria we use to assess each provider.
| Provider | Best known for | Games we review |
|---|---|---|
| Aristocrat | Australian venue pokies and hold-and-spin series | Lightning Link, Dragon Link |
| Light & Wonder | Land-based gaming machines and online content | Not currently reviewed |
| Pragmatic Play | Pay-anywhere tumbles and multiplier games | Sweet Bonanza, Gates of Olympus, Sugar Rush and more |
| Play'n GO | Story-driven slots and the Book format | Book of Dead |
| NetEnt | Classic online slots and the Avalanche mechanic | Starburst, Gonzo's Quest |
| Microgaming | Long-running online slot catalogue | Immortal Romance |
| Big Time Gaming | Inventing the Megaways mechanic | Bonanza Megaways |
| Hacksaw Gaming | Mobile-first, high-volatility games | Wanted Dead or a Wild |
| Blueprint Gaming | Branded and Megaways games | Cleopatra's Riches (credited to Blueprint in some sources) |
| Relax Gaming | High-volatility in-house games | Not currently reviewed |
| Nolimit City | Extreme-volatility games with unusual mechanics | Not currently reviewed |
| Red Tiger | Online slots and daily jackpot networks | Not currently reviewed |
Founded in Sydney in the 1950s, Aristocrat is one of the world's best-known gaming machine manufacturers and a familiar name in Australian pubs and clubs. It is behind hugely popular hold-and-spin series such as Lightning Link and Dragon Link.
Light & Wonder is the name adopted in 2022 by the gaming business formerly known as Scientific Games. It supplies gaming machines to casinos and venues and also creates online and social casino content.
One of the most prolific online slot studios, known for frequent releases and games built around pay-anywhere wins, tumbles and multiplier symbols. Its titles include Sweet Bonanza, Gates of Olympus, Sugar Rush, Starlight Princess and Wolf Gold, and it released Big Bass Bonanza in partnership with Reel Kingdom.
A long-established online studio known for story-driven games and characters such as the explorer Rich Wilde. Its Book of Dead helped popularise the "Book" format, built around a combined wild-scatter symbol and an expanding symbol in free spins.
One of the pioneers of online slots, responsible for classics such as Starburst and Gonzo's Quest, which helped make the Avalanche cascading mechanic popular. NetEnt was acquired by Evolution in 2020.
One of the earliest names in online casino software, with a large back catalogue that includes Immortal Romance. Many games originally released under the Microgaming brand are now distributed by Games Global.
Founded in Sydney in 2011, Big Time Gaming invented and patented the Megaways mechanic, made famous by Bonanza Megaways, and licenses it to other studios. It was acquired by Evolution in 2021. See Megaways Slots Explained.
A newer studio known for games designed with mobile play in mind, bold artwork and very high maximum wins, such as Wanted Dead or a Wild.
A UK-based developer owned by Germany's Gauselmann Group since 2008. It is known for games such as Fishin' Frenzy, for branded titles and for its many Megaways games, made under licence from Big Time Gaming.
An online studio and content aggregator known for high-volatility in-house games and for distributing titles from partner studios.
A studio known for extreme-volatility games, dark themes and unusual mechanics. It was acquired by Evolution in 2022.
An online slot studio known for its range of games and daily jackpot networks. It was acquired by NetEnt in 2019 and became part of Evolution when Evolution acquired NetEnt.
Most studios publish the RTP and volatility of their games, but many also offer several RTP versions of the same game. The casino decides which version to use. That is why the RTP in a review can differ from the RTP shown in the game you are playing. Always check the game's information screen. See Pokies RTP Explained.
Reputable studios have their games tested by independent laboratories and certified for each regulated market they supply. Venue pokies in Australia must also be approved by state or territory regulators. See Slot RNG Explained.
Several of the studios above now belong to larger groups. Evolution, for example, owns NetEnt, Red Tiger, Big Time Gaming and Nolimit City. Studios within the same group usually keep their own identity and style, but ownership can affect how games are distributed and which markets they reach.
No studio makes games that are more likely to pay on any given spin. Every pokie is decided by a random number generator and has a house edge. If you choose to play, set a budget and time limit before you start. Our guides on setting gambling limits and recognising gambling harm explain practical steps, and Gambling Help Online offers free, confidential support 24/7 on 1800 858 858.
A slot game provider is the studio that designs and builds a pokie, including its maths, features and artwork. Casinos and venues then offer those games to players.
No provider makes games that are more likely to win on a given spin. Games differ in RTP and volatility, which affect the expected cost of play and how results are spread out.
Aristocrat is one of the best-known makers of pokies in Australian venues, alongside other manufacturers such as Light & Wonder.
Megaways was invented and patented by Big Time Gaming, which licenses it to other studios.
The industry has consolidated over time. Evolution, for example, owns NetEnt, Red Tiger, Big Time Gaming and Nolimit City.